Novak Djokovic is the world's best player because his backhand is out of this world, says Stefanos Tsitsipas.
After Djokovic's 6-3, 6-4, win over Tsitsipas in the Madrid Open final, the 20-year-old Greek praised Djokovic's two-handed backhand as the best humanity has ever seen.
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"He has the best backhand on tour I have ever seen in a human being," Tsitsipas told the media in Madrid. "He controls it so well. He can play cross, he can play down the line the same way. And that's very difficult to deal with."
Ex-coach Andre Agassi has called Djokovic the best returner in Open Era history.
Tsitsipas, who toppled the Serbian at the Rogers Cup last August, said Djokovic's serve precision combined with his ability to hit the backhand anywhere is what makes him the world's best.
"Usually some players have a good stroke, but it's not that consistent, so I find if he's in a day where his serve works pretty well, the placement of his serve, his forehand is not his biggest weapon," Tsitsipas said. "He can hit it but it's not his biggest weapon. But he can, if the backhand and the serve work really well, he can...
"That is why he has been dominating for so many years."
Photo credit: Christopher Levy